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Governors reject attempts to extend Transitional Authority’s mandate

Thursday January 7 2016

Council of Governors Chairman and Meru County Governor Mr Peter Munya address the press at Delta House in Nairobi on January 7, 2016. The Council of Governors has resisted any attempts to extend the mandate of the Transition Authority arguing that any extension is a threat to devolution. PHOTO | ROBERT NGUGI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

The Council of Governors has resisted any attempts to extend the mandate of the Transition Authority.

CoG Chairman Mr Peter Munya termed the move “unconstitutional” saying that Transition Authority had done its work and must be disbanded.

TA's term is set to expire on March 4, 2016 but the authority had sought another three years, saying its work was not yet done.

Parliament will have the discretion to extend the period or reject the proposal.

The Council of Governors (CoG) has resisted any attempts to extend the mandate of the Transition Authority arguing that any extension was a threat to devolution.

CoG Chairman Mr Peter Munya termed the move “unconstitutional” saying that Transition Authority (TA) had done its work and must be disbanded.

He argued that any remaining duty can be ably handled by the Inter-Governmental Relations Committee which he said was already in place.

The Meru County Governor said instead of extending the TA’s period, the government should offer more financial support to the Inter-Governmental Relations Committee to carry out any spill over work.

ENOUGHT TIME

“They (TA) had enough time to do their work and we don’t think giving them more time would serve any purpose and in any case the law does not allow (for the extension). We therefore ask Parliament not to extend the term of TA,” said the Meru governor on Thursday.

The TA's term is set to expire on March 4, 2016 but the authority had sought another three years, saying its work was not yet done.

But Mr Kiunjuri, during a meeting with the oversight body officials on Wednesday, suggested TA’s term be extended by a year.

EXTEND PERIOD

Parliament will have the discretion to extend the period or reject the proposal.

“Parliament would be acting against the constitution if it extends the mandate of the Transition Authority,” said Mr Munya during a press conference at the CoG offices in Nairobi on Thursday.

“The transition period comes to an end on March (2016) and we are asking the minister concerned to comply with the provisions of the constitution,” added Mr Munya who also demanded that the national government hands over all devolved functions to counties.